Intermittent BSOD on boot after splash, before login 0x00000116 , 117

Hi,

I just purchased a new computer for work and pieced it together and installing win7_64 pro from a usb. After I installed the catalyst drivers (tried through windows update and from amd.com) it now BSODs unpredictably while booting. Sometimes it restarts on its own, and sometimes it requires a hard power cycle.

Here's the main hardware:

• Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2
• 32gb 1600mhz ddr3
• sapphire radeon 5770
• msi ZH77A-G43 (latest bios)
• SPI 600w platinum
• Samsung 840 256gb SSD
• SATA DVD-RW

Once I get into windows, it seems to be rock stable. I've successfully run the following tests without errors:

• prime95
• memtest86
• furturemark 06 (dx9)
• furmark
• memtestCL

It will always boot up into safe mode and will always boot up with the drivers rolled back to the default VGA adapter.

I even tried another 5750 from the IT closet with the same results. I'm pretty much past the limit of my own troubleshooting abilities. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I thought I would take it home and upgrade over the weekend, but now I'm scared I'll bring it back to work on Monday without a primary machine to actually do my job

Let me know if you have any ideas or require any more information.

Thanks!

Hi,

Thanks for the responses.

Please uninstall the Catalyst Control Center and only install the Display Driver.

I installed the bare driver with the same results. Started into windows a couple times. Then error 117'd again a few times. No luck

please post your specs in your profile , especially the exact make and model of ram

I'm using Gskill F3-1600C9Q-32GXM. I tried a single stick in two different slots and then a different single stick in two different slots. No luck there either. Settings are SPD in the bios.

I think I've covered most of them, yes.

• I'm not overclocking anything
• I've tried two different Ati HD5xxx cards
• I've updated all the motherboard drivers
• I ran the system integrity scan
• I've run every software stress test I can think of

The things I haven't done that might matter? (in order):

• I'm acquiring an Nvidia g520 to see if that works
• I've got another PSU to swap in
• I will reinstall windows (hopefully not, hassle to reinstall all the programs I use)

Okay, I tried the GT520 and after installing the driver I see the same issues. This card doesn't even require the PCIE extra power connector. Should I try a new PSU then? Or does this point at the motherboard?

I tried the new PSU. No luck.

Finally, and not sure why I didn't try this sooner, I moved downgraded to the pcie 2.0x16 slot. Voila. It boots regularly to the login screen without crash.

Is this likely a hardware or software issue? What should I do?

1. RMA motherboard for a replacement
2. RMA motherboard for a different brand/model
3. Live with it (bandwidth is not an issue for a 5770)

Thanks, yes the motherboard isn't a week out of the box. I could return it but then I'm out a computer a week or more on the turnaround, and it costs me another couple hours for a reinstall. I'm not sure what to do on this front, but I'll mark it solved since the technical aspects are dealt with. Thanks :)

So far Furmark hasn't crashed and the GPU has leveled off at a max of 65C after 30min.